30. I tried to leave you(31. Save the last dance) not sure about this one, will edit

Set 2 and encores same as Aalborg, set 1 a few changes.

from a computer in a bergen hotel reception area
no, there was no #31.
i tried to leave you was the last song. he then said
goodnight my friends, i hope to see you all again down the road, until then goodnight.
excellent show. part #1 7.30 + 9.00. part #2 9.20 + 10.35. encore #1 10.35. encore #2 10.46. encore #3 11.00. finished 11.10.
unexpected highlight of show was sharon robinsons solo singing of alexander leaving. beautiful version. leonard translated the text from some greek guy and sharon put it to music, he said. she got electrifying applause and endless whistling for that song. hope it was recorded.
this computer has an unusual keyboard, so excuse bad writing. will be home thursday nite. g

Leonard Cohen sings as if it were his last. And have fun at the same time.
CONCERT: Leonard Cohen
LOCATION: Koengen, Bergen
CURRENT ALBUM: "Old Ideas"
AUDIENCE: Approximately 11,000

In the best song from this year's Leonard Cohen album, "Going Home," describes the narrator, God, Cohen as a channel for itself, but also as "a bastard living in a suit."

The suit-clad bastard runs anyway onto the stage floor exactly at second order announced concert. Cheeky cracked - but mostly it's about time.

He does not have much of it left . However, he has a deep, immense respect and appreciation for their time. For its nine band members, three female choir and four technicians who spend time with him.

The elegant Canadian introduces them several times, both to show their gratitude and respect - but also as a catalyst for applause (even when the local lightman be greeted with a smile, as John fancypants). Moreover, he holds air hat reverently before him under any guitar, violin and organ solos.

But in particular, he is grateful for the public's time - consistently referred to as "friends" - and that even the trees on Bergenhus fortress moves in time with the music.

Possibly it is rehearsed politeness, but it felt and feels sincere.

From his traditionally opens with klezmerske "Dance Me To The End of Love" to his round as traditionally with "I Tried to Leave You," "he keeps his eyes in every verse, as if to ensure that higher powers follow with, and kneeling afterward with his head bowed to the audience, as if to assure them that every word is true.

The concert comes in multiple sets, sets that alone would work as full concerts. Not everything is as required. The songs where female choir will reign alone is beautiful, but removes the pitch dark bottom that only Canadians grave voice master, to Brumle without rumble.

And with over thirty songs, the less interesting features of recent times accepted. Also, not band version of synthpophiten "First We Take Manhattan" especially efficient. But the great moments, like a soft "Sisters of Mercy", a truly inspired "Hallelujah" and an always intense "Anthem" performed as if he restores and revives the text there and then.

But back to the future: A concert in over three and a half hours with no dead spots, would have been a miracle. Bruce Springsteen can not. Leonard Cohen manage it either. But he is the closest to getting the miracle to be fair.